MASKTOURN

Asha had cleaned up a bit for the gala- mostly just from what she could do in her own room. She washed her face and changed out her jewelry, and restyled her braids to have a lower bun. Her new garments were wrapped just as modestly as the previous ones had been, including the extra binding around her chest. She also carried her purse along with her, which was stuffed to the brim with various items. For now, she was picking through the offerings at the table, not looking too enthusiastic about any of it. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Walking away from the Lifebringers, Ryu made her way over to the food selection. She was curious what this place would offer, but something more interesting than food soon caught her attention. Grabbing a plate, Ryu casually stepped up to where Asha was. "The bread looks pretty good here. Have you tried anything yet?" Ryu asked with a charming smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, not yet.." Asha hummed, looking over the food with a nervous expression. She glanced over at Ryu- definitely pausing on his chest for a moment before looking up at his face. "Um- what are your.. Pronouns?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu let out a small chuckle. "Whatever you feel like, babe," he replied before looking back to the spread of food in front of them. "Do you have some sort of allergy? I'm sure if we ask, the Lifebringers wouldn't mind prepping something else you can eat." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

A clear look of disgust crossed Asha's features- not from Ryu messing with gender but just from being called 'babe'. ".. I'm married." Asha led with. "And no, I just don't know what most of these fruits are.. I don't want to eat anything that could make me sick." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu just smiled and shrug. "Hey, nothing wrong with that. I'm just being friendly," she hummed in response. "And that makes sense. Honestly, if the Lifebringers are planning to kill us, I don't think they would intentionally poison us," she commented as he picked one of the berries and popped it into his mouth. "Mm. That one wasn't too bad. A little too sweet for my liking though." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Too friendly..' ".. Well, they probably wouldn't want us to be poisoned to death, but I'm more worried about my baby. She's still getting bottles.." Asha sighed and glanced around the offerings again. The bread was probably safe.. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I also doubt they'd want to poison a baby of all things.. But I understand your concern," Ryu hummed. "Mom's always gotta worry about their baby, after all. It's awful you were forced away to here... How old is she now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. J-just about five weeks.. Her name is Kaisa.." Asha said quietly. Even just saying her name again made her sniffle a bit, and she quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "But I'm going to get out of here and get back to her." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu offered Asha a napkin from the table and nodded. "Kaisa? That's a nice name. I'm sure she's a beautiful baby... You'll get back to her, I'm sure," she offered with a sympathetic smile. "Five weeks is really young.. are you okay being out here? Shouldn't you be resting at home?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After staring at the napkin in silence for a few moments, Asha took the napkin and lightly dabbed her eyes. "She is beautiful.." Asha nodded. "And hah- yes.. I was just about to go on a girls weekend with my friends to relax before I got taken.. And I don't care how much Albanes apologizes for taking me, it won't make up for it. She will let us all go, or she will die." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu nodded her head along as Asha spoke, simply listening to the other woman's woes. "Don't worry. I'm sure things will work out fine," he continued to reassure and offered Asha a small smile. "I'm Ryu, by the way. I know you may think I'm being overly friendly, but I really am just sorta like this. Sorry if I stepped on any toes," he added, trying to lighten the mood. "You're a strong woman to be able to be so determined despite your situation. I'm sure little Kaisa loves you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Asha wasn't convinced everything would be fine, but.. She was hopeful it would work out in some way. ".. Yeah, you're just a bit overly friendly.. Usually I am too, but this is my third tournament and.. I'm really not feeling it this time." Asha sighed, and finally turned to fully face Ryu. "I'm Asha, the current Motomja of Mlipuko. And I will return to my position as soon as I'm back, hopefully.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu raised a brow and looked Asha up and down for a moment. "You've been to three of these shit holes already?" He asked. "Sorry—I just can't believe there are enough universes for a person to end up in three of them. This is my 2nd rodeo, myself," she added. 'Asha of Mlipuko'... that sounded vaguely familiar, but Ryunoske didn't really know why. "Motomja? Is that something like a mayor or president of sorts?' @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"My first one was a village tradition, so that wasn't awful. Then my second was more like this- but I chose to attend... This is definitely the worst circumstances so far.." Asha sighed. "And yeah, it's something like that. I share power with the governor, and my husband has a bit of say as well.. My powers are vital for the village to run, so I really need to get home." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He hummed in response, letting Asha's words sit in his mind for a bit. "A village tradition and one you were invited to... Yeah, being kidnapped against your will is definitely the worst out of the three," Ryu nodded. "And I see. It's a bit of a shared diplomatic position. Not unusual, but your powers are vital for the village?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I have firework powers, and my village is entirely dependent on our gunpowder and firework exports.. I need to be there for business, and quality checking our goods. I also make a decent amount myself, when I'm not managing my kids.." Asha said. "I also need to be there for ceremonies, my husband Roman can't take over all that without me.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Someone who works with gunpowder... that could be useful. Ryu opened her mouth to say something else, but she immediately stopped when she heard the name of Asha's husband. "...Roman?" Ryu repeated with an almost judging look. She couldn't help the expression on her face. It was pure instinct. "Asha, by chance, is your Roman a dark-skinned man with braids? I feel like I'm going crazy—Because there's also a Roman I know who's here.. and he most certainly doesn't have a wife in my world." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha glared just a bit at Ryu's expression, but it quickly softened. Oh yeah, there was a Roman here.. "Well, his name isn't pronounced like that.. But also you just described about half the men from my village, so you'll have to be a bit more specific.. He is the only one from Mlipuko named Roman though, and he's a bit lighter skinned than most. He's a bit of a bigger guy, beard, dark brownish-red eyes..? Nice..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Bigger guy, beard, nice... none of those were the Roman Ryu knew. "No.. besides the redish eyes, the Roman here is the complete opposite of what your husband is like. Sounds like he's actually a decent person in your world..." Ryu said with a shake of her head. "He has sort of red braids and many piercings on his face. And is very, very, very obnoxious and unlikeable. I don't think you'll enjoy this version of the man you know as your husband, Asha. He also was in a band with Roque.. I assume you know who that is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"He only has pierced ears back h-" Asha began to explain, before she heard Ryu's final sentence. Her grip on the napkin tightened, and she slammed her fist in to the table next to them. "WHAT?!" She exclaimed. "H-he- What?! Why?!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu blinked as Asha slammed her fist onto the table. "Yep. Seems like you know her. Now that I think about it.. I think she did talk about you some. Asha... You're her cousin, right?" Ryu said with a snap of her fingers. "Roque had a lot to say about you. I'm not too sure why Roman was with her and her band.. but I'm pretty sure it has to deal with why he's so absolutely awful in my world." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't even want to know what Roque was saying- When were you talking to her?" Asha asked. "But of course he'd be awful if he went with her. Every single person she interacts with gets worse. She hasn't even shown her face in Mlipuko since my first wedding- which I know she had something to do with ruining.." Asha took in a deep breath and placed her hand over her chest, slowly regaining her calm composure. ".. But I know Roman always pitied her. He's way too nice. I wouldn't be surprised if she manipulated him in to joining her stupid band in your.. Timeline or whatever." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Remember how I said I was at a tournament before this one? I met her there," Ryu explained. She didn't bother mentioning most of the things Roque spoke to her about, as he could already tell the topic alone stressed Asha out. "Roque's dead in my timeline, if that makes you feel any better," Ryu shrugged. "Roman has been on my tail ever since I sold him her eyes. He's completely obsessed with her. It's creepy," he shuttered. "I hope he at least treats you better in your world. He's a nut case in mine." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha was not at all surprised that Roque had entered a tournament. She was probably eager to finally win at something... "Wait, she's dead? How'd that happen..? And- her what? Her eyes? How, why..? And Roman is lovely, really, I couldn't ask for a better husband and father of my kids.. I-if I can't get out of here, I know he'll still raise the kids to be good.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu shrugged again, picking a piece of bread and taking a bite before replying. "Something like her blood portal ate her..? I'm not really sure. The only things left behind were her eyes, and I decided to auction them off because well.. It's not like I have any use for them. Roman was the highest bidder," Ryu explained. "...It's so weird to hear Roman being anything normal. I'm glad for you, really, but it's still. Weird." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... That was a lot to take in. Blood portal. Ate her. Somehow her eyes were left. Roman was the highest bidder. She didn't want to hear any more about that. "I-i don't- I don't want to hear about Roque anymore.. or how this Roman is all weird.." Asha mumbled. "What about you? What's your story..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Well, if Asha didn't want to hear more about her weirdo cousin and husband(?), Ryu wasn't going to keep on pushing it. "Alright then. I get it," she said with a sympathetic tone. "And myself? Why, you interested~?" She asked with a teasing tone. "I kid, kid. Well, there's honestly not a lot to myself. I'm just some guy who keeps on getting wrapped up into all this mess." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once again, Asha looked irritated for a moment before it faded back to a neutral expression. But Ryu said he's a guy- so.. Okay. That cleared some things up for her. ".. Your tattoos would say otherwise. I've never seen someone so.. Decorated." Asha said. "Those are expensive, aren't they?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu chuckled as she saw Asha's brief irritated expression. It sorta reminded her of Roque. "Oh, these?" She asked and flexed one of her biceps with a small smirk. The golden ring around the muscle looked like it was about to snap off. "Maybe I just appreciate art, but yes. They were pretty pricy.. but I got a pretty decent wallet to back them all up." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha looked over as he flexed his muscle, but more so to just watch how the art moved. "Well if you have all that money, what's your job?" Asha asked. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

She gave her muscles one more flex before relaxing. "I'm the head of my family's business now. Nothing crazy," Ryu hummed. "Good trades and stuff. Pretty boring, really. You do more partying than actual deals because the social life is almost as important as the actual goods themselves," Ryu shrugged. "I'm pretty good at partying, at least. Say, once you're done eating, maybe you can honor me with a dance?" Ryu asked with a smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, that sounds a lot like my job. There's a lot of partying that I'm in charge of.." Asha chuckled. However, at Ryu's request, Asha slowly frowned. "No I- I couldn't. I can hardly walk, I can't dance.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"A diplomat has to know their people after all. I'm not surprised you're well verse," Ryu chuckled. "And what-? You never heard of slow dancing before? I'm not going to make a mom who's still in recovery do something crazy. I just thought you would want some fun since, you know, you were quite literally kidnapped before your night out with your friends?" He commented. "If you're not up for a slow waltz either, I understand. It's a gala, so I just thought you'd at least be interested," Ryu shrugged with a light-hearted smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know what slow dancing is I just- no- I don't want to do that with you." Asha said and took a small step away from Ryu. Oh, her friends were just going to sit with her and watch TV and eat junk.. Maybe play some board games. Nothing as extravagant as this gala.. And she especially hadn't planned on dancing, let alone with some man she just met. "I'm gonna be honest, between the flirting, and the interest in my history, and offering me a dance, you're kind of freaking me out. I'm not interested. At all." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu simply shrugged. "That's fine. It's only natural you're on alert here," she hummed. Asha was quite the opposite of Roque in this sense it seems. "Again, I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes. It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Well, you did." Asha shrugged and brushed some of her hair back out of her face. "But yes, usually I wouldn't be so on edge. But I'm dealing with a lot. I think it might be best to leave for now." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu hummed a bit more as she looked over Asha. "Hopefully you'll be able to find something that relaxes ya. If you ever need help with anything, feel free to ask. Though, I doubt you're interested in asking this lady for help," Ryu chuckled as she took a small step aside. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

For the final time, Asha's expression soured as Ryu looked her over. This time, it didn't go back to neutral. She adjusted her chest covering before walking away just about as fast as she could (which wasn't very fast), in the opposite direction of where Ryu was currently standing. Wait, lady? Whatever, she was out of there... @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske